Cloudy heads National hopes

The Trevor Hemmings-owned eight-year-old could be one of the shortest market-leaders of the marathon handicap chase for many years as he bids to give trainer Donald McCain jnr a fairytale success by continuing the family tradition.

His father, Ginger, saddled four National winners - triple hero Red Rum (1973, 1974, 1977) and Amberleigh House four years ago. Hemmings has also tasted National glory with 2005 winner Hedgehunter, trained by Willie Mullins and one of the owner's three runners this year - the other being Idle Talk.

As expected, Ollie Magern is out of the race after being lame on Wednesday. The only other absentee from the top 40 in the handicap was Cornish Rebel, which means the Tony Martin-trained Dun Doire has made the cut. There are four reserves - Ardaghey, Joes Edge, In The High Grass and Ossmoses.

A reserve will be able to take the place of a horse declared a non-runner by 9.30am on Friday.

Lisa Williamson, trainer of Cornish Rebel, said: "Unfortunately he's just got a problem with one of his feet. It is just something minor, but it is enough to stop us running on Saturday.

"I'm not sure what we'll do with him at the moment. We'll just give him a few days and try to get him sound again. I've taken him out of the Scottish National as he was out of the handicap there."

Bewleys Berry fell at Becher's on the second circuit last year but Howard Johnson's charge has got round the famous course twice when finishing runner-up in the last two renewals of the Becher Chase. Owner Graham Wylie believes the 10-year-old could go close, granted a clear round.

He said: "He's never been fitter, according to Howard, and has been to the beach nearby for a tank along the water's edge. You need to be lucky, as always, in the National. He was jumping well last year and he just got spooked by a loose horse at Becher's second time around and crumpled on landing.

"I'll just be hoping he gets a clear round - if he gets that, I don't think he'll be far away."